The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1887-09-23

". ". l,on At HOT spRlNas-He TELLS WHAT A
REPUTATION ~ Is GETTING As A WATERING
pLAcE-rHE BLACK HILLS.
Editor Argus I.eader:

Editor Argus Leader:
Hor SPRINGS. Oak. Sept. 1. 1SS7.--I
want to tell your readers something
about this part of the Black Hills. The
scenery is charming. 1t nevcr gets mo-
notonous anu there is variety every
where. One might almost imagine
himself in Switzerland. One who has
been here never asks why The Hills are
called Black for they are covered with
pine and in the distance look like the
shades of darkness. | used to think
there was some stone in SIOUX Falls
but after seeing these mountain ranges
Of every immaginable kind of rock, |
have almost changed my mind. Any
one addicted to the vice of geology
goes wild over the different formations
visible here. There is an unlimited
amount of gypsum and one OF the pros
pective Industries OF this region is TO
convert it into plaster paris and ferti-
lizers sufficient to supply the wants of
the entire universe.
AS to the agricultural resources of
this section, | am somewhat scapiical.
The mining region is further north.
The best land here is taken APP and ev-
cry canyon ii filled with settlers pine
log cabins. All the fields are fenced
but q good level tillage ground is So
scarce that they hardly look large
enough to make Il good-sixed potato
patch. The soil is red like brlck-dust.
The crops around here are severely in
jured by hail. Vegetables are good.
hut for some u~naccountable reason. we
have to sugar watermellon> before they
are fit to eat. Hay is so short that it
has to be hauled on hay racks made
like crates. III is a splendid country
for all kinds of stock. and these noun
tains would make a paradise for sheep.
Buffalo grass grows everywhere and
fattens stock the year round. Robt.
Kyle of SIOUX Falls was out here Il few
days ago and purchased a fine sheep
sheep rancho.
But there is one thing here about
which | am enthusiastic and that is the
Hot Springs. 1t is claimed that the
curative properties of these waters
have been known to the Indians for
the last $50 years. There used to be
an Indian city here called Minne-kah-
ta--water hot-and its stone teepe cir
Giles are suill visible. There is a tradi-
tion that fifty years ago upon the top
of Battle Mountain adjoining town.
the final battle was fought between the
Cheyennes and the Sioux for the pos
session of these springs and resulted i'll
the victory of the latter. The origin
al bath tub still exists which was hewn
out of the solid rock by the Indians
years ago. The water is the mos. pleas.
ant medicine | ever tasted. Its sui.
phur, gas and mineral ingredients are
so we'll combined that the water is alb
solutely tasteless. Ii is astonishing I,
sos how muchsef it ODE can drink with
out fatal results. q german ,,atien
j. fsy 10 nave drunk eighty glasse:
per day aud yet not we'll. | find tina,
my daily capacity is about tiftee1
sdrinks,' sureiy enough to satisfy ever
the most rigid Sioux Falls prohibition
lists. The water contains SO much lin,
that soap cannot be used. but the clean
sing properties are wonderful and tn,
baths are delightful.
1t is verify a Pool Of Bethesda. /,
the classic language of Dan Scott. ii
will knock the spots off rheumatism
and all manner of blood and skin dis
eases, kidney complaints, etc. For Inn,
and throat diseases it is injurious. Tn
oid-timers here wax eloquent i'm it
praise. A large proportion of the in
habitants of the place have been re
stored to health bv the sprinos. III !
almost incredible to hear Of the hun
dreds Of we'll authenticated eases whcr
hopeless invalids have rerained the;
health aud strength by merely drinl
ing and bathing in these waters. Eve
the doctors here believe in them. la,
fall, MIR. A. Herbert of Valley Snri,c
was so reduced with dyspeps;a. tidne
and bladder troubles that his nhys;r;o
gave him up. but he said that he conl
not afford to die Just vet. so he came /
these springs and in six weeks was can
pletely cured, and he is now a nerfe.
picture of health. He was here \ fe
days ago with Mr.. KYLE. Mr.. ncwe
an Omaha millionaire. who has hes
at all the watering places in Eurone
here for his health and pronounce ii
water the finest in the wo,l1' "
Ibid not come here to boom II
springs. but | take pleasure in makir
their virtues known 10 the afflicted
southwestern Dakota. 1t is a nit,
that these waters ave controlled Inv
private corporation. Snrh a river.
life should be owned bv the state
Dakota and made free to all.